Council News

Woodhouse Close Community Foodbank have released some incredible statistics which demonstrates their hard work. Over the last month alone they have created 154 family food parcels and 155 single food parcels. The Foodbank have supported 437 adults and 194 children with food and supplies from the 25th April to the 29th May.

The hard work of Woodhouse Close Community Foodbank can only continue with the kind donations of food from the local community. Currently, the foodbank are running low on the following:

The Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Councillor Joy Allen, is calling on residents to be vigilant as there has been a surge in phishing scams both online and by phone.

Durham County Council and Trading Standards have asked us to remind residents not to give out their personal information over the phone to prevent scam callers taking advantage of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Its okay to reject, refuse or ignore requests for personal information. Take the time to check out the person or organisation making the request to confirm that they are in fact genuine.

Anyone who has any concerns to report fraud and scams to Durham County Council. Durham County Council and Trading Standards do not make calls out of the blue or seek payment to be made or ask for personal details or credit card information.

Details on how to report fraud and help from Durham County Council can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/fraud or by phoning 03000 266 745. Your information will be taken seriously and will be investigated. If you wish you can remain anonymous.

Details of how to protect yourself and family from frauds and scams, including current coronavirus scams, can be found at www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk

You can also help protect the UK and vulnerable people from email scams by reporting all suspicious email you receive to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think you have fallen for a scam, contact your bank immediately and report it and ring Action Fraud 03000 123 2040 or via www.actionfraud.police.uk

You can also report suspicious text by forwarding the original message to 7726

This week is Volunteers’ Week and its our chance to celebrate and say thank you for the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK and particularly those giving their valuable time to help others here in Bishop Auckland.

It has not been possible to include all volunteers groups operating in Bishop Auckland but we would encourage charities and volunteers working in the town to share a photo and post about their experiences as a volunteer or the value of volunteers to their organisation.

Over the past 10 weeks the world has changed due to the Coronaviris, Covid-19 and the country has shown its appreciation to the NHS, carers, frontline staff and key workers with the weekly ‘clap’ and many other initiatives.

One of these initiatives has seen various iconic buildings across the North East being lit up blue and have included the Angel of the North and Durham Cathedral.

This week various iconic buildings in and around Bishop Auckland have turned blue including Auckland Castle, the former home of the Prince Bishops.

In the Market Place some of the buildings which were lit blue included the Bishop Auckland Town Hall, St Anne’s Church, Auckland Tower and Mining Art Gallery.

Bishop Auckland Town Hall and St. Anne’s Church

The historic Eleven Arches viaduct and Skirlaw bridge also turned blue along with the Four Clocks building in Newgate Street and the Stan Laurel statue on Theatre Corner.